You know that feeling when life seems to pull you in a direction you never intended to go? It’s like you’re caught in the undertow and you’re wondering, “How am I ever going to get back on track?”
We all experience this as individuals, and it’s something that teams and organizations face too. This is where I usually get the call–as a speaker or coach–to come in and help turn things around, sharing my four-step “Reboot Roadmap” as a proven path to come back better than EVER.
Today, I thought it would be useful to chat about a key underlying concept that makes it all work:
MOMENTUM.
Think about it…
Momentum is that force that keeps us moving – sometimes toward our dreams, and sometimes away from them. It’s interesting because momentum can make life easier when it’s on our side, or harder when it’s working against us.
So, how do we make sure our momentum is moving us in the right direction? Here’s a simple mantra to carry with you:
Moments create momentum.
In our hectic lives, it’s easy to lose sight of the small, seemingly insignificant moments. But these moments, when they add up, really make a difference. Every choice we make, each interaction, and all our daily habits contribute to the momentum shaping our lives.
You’ve seen this, right?
Identify an aspect of your life or work that’s going well, and I guarantee you’ll see that you have positive momentum in that area. Identify an area of your life or work where you’re struggling, where things aren’t the way you’d like them to be, and you’re likely to find negative momentum. Things didn’t just suddenly go south. It was several moments that stacked together.
Consider these examples: The employee who became disengaged. The romantic partner who grew distant. The customer who lost interest. The friend who drifted away. The fitness goal that got derailed. All of these situations are the result of accumulated moments, whether positive or negative.
You might say, “It happened really slowly, then all of a sudden.” That’s what it’s like when you get to the tipping point.
To help you think about where momentum is at work in your life and how to create positive momentum where you need it, consider these three reflection questions:
- In which areas of my life do I feel I have positive momentum? How can I build on this to further enhance my personal and professional growth?
- Are there areas of my life where I feel stuck or hindered? What might be causing this negative momentum, and how can I address it?
- How can I shift my focus to create more meaningful and impactful moments that contribute to positive momentum?
Remember, life is an accumulation of moments that, when stacked together, create the momentum that shapes our journey. All that ever matters right now is… What will you do with this one?
Here’s to an inspired week of creating positive momentum!
